One of the biggest problems ILDC encounters when trying to explore other planets and moons is finding a landing site. Many times orbiting spacecraft can't see boulders or small cliffs on the planet's surface. These unknown features can destroy the delicate equipment of the lander. Carefully examine the following images to determine if there are safe locations to land on Blitzen. If you are unfamiliar with topographic images view a topographic map of the earth before looking at Blitzen
One problem found especially on Blitzen is cloud cover. Blitzen's clouds cover the entire surface of the planet, so the spacecraft had to use radar when it began mapping the surface of Blitzen.
10. Observe the colored topographic maps of the surface of Blitzen. Describe three different surface structures of Blitzen Data
11. Look at the colored map. Describe the areas that have the most craters, give their latitude and longitude.
Two topographic maps of Blitzen 12. The light portions correspond to higher elevations or continents. How do these continents differ in size and location from those on Earth?
13. Below are 3-D c images of the surface of Blizen. Consider the terrain and how it may have formed. What challenges do you foresee for travel on the planet? Would there be any problems for vehicle's or Walking?
3-D view of Blitzen Terrain
Here is what the surface looks like.
The orange color is because of Blitzen's atmosphere.
Blitzen has impact craters. Here is a a crater about 30 km in diameter. 14.Describe how the light colored material might have formed from the impacts shown below.
Here are three craters of about the same size.
Here is a crater that was broken by a fault.
Surface of Blitzen
One of the biggest problems ILDC encounters when trying to explore other planets and moons is finding a landing site. Many times orbiting spacecraft can't see boulders or small cliffs on the planet's surface. These unknown features can destroy the delicate equipment of the lander. Carefully examine the following images to determine if there are safe locations to land on Blitzen. If you are unfamiliar with topographic images view a topographic map of the earth before looking at Blitzen
One problem found especially on Blitzen is cloud cover. Blitzen's clouds cover the entire surface of the planet, so the spacecraft had to use radar when it began mapping the surface of Blitzen.
10. Observe the colored topographic maps of the surface of Blitzen. Describe three different surface structures of Blitzen Data
11. Look at the colored map. Describe the areas that have the most craters, give their latitude and longitude.
Two topographic maps of Blitzen
12. The light portions correspond to higher elevations or continents. How do these continents differ in size and location from those on Earth?
13. Below are 3-D c images of the surface of Blizen. Consider the terrain and how it may have formed. What challenges do you foresee for travel on the planet? Would there be any problems for vehicle's or Walking?
3-D view of Blitzen Terrain
Here is what the surface looks like.
The orange color is because of Blitzen's atmosphere.
Blitzen has impact craters. Here is a a crater about 30 km in diameter.
14. Describe how the light colored material might have formed from the impacts shown below.
Here are three craters of about the same size.
Here is a crater that was broken by a fault.
Blitzen has volcanos. Here are some little "pancake" volcanos
15. Did the domes form all at once? How can you tell?
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